Just another M3, this time with a V8.

[frayz]

Loving the Alcantara dude, adds a quality feel

 

[CrippsCorner]

E92 is still my favourite M3, been in one albeit only slowly lol but it still sounded great. Was awaiting the post where you'd taken the spoiler off! Shame it's staying I think, but at least it's at least it's original lol.

The E46 didn't look bad either!

 

[-Rob]

Loving the Alcantara dude, adds a quality feel

I think so too. Modernises the interior in line with how it should have been from the factory.

E92 is still my favourite M3, been in one albeit only slowly lol but it still sounded great. Was awaiting the post where you'd taken the spoiler off! Shame it's staying I think, but at least it's at least it's original lol.

The E46 didn't look bad either!

The V8's sound phenomenal on full chat, I've been eyeing up the carbon airbox for this - been resisting since I bought it!

Spoiler has to stay, been proven to add some downforce in high speed corners so it's function over looks on that one.

E46 looked better in my eyes, especially when it was heavily modified.

 

[-Jamie-]

Mega spec already, had looked at this when I was buying my own.

GT4 wing on high mounts is the one to go for though, from speaking to those that have had GTS then the GT4 is far more effective.


Any other plans?

 

[George@RTR_Parts]

Very nice indeed this mate

 

[-Simon]

Spunked a fair few dollars on this but i have to say it looks truly epic. I personally don’t think there is a fag paper to split the E46 and E90 in terms of desirability and love the modifications you have done to both cars.

 

[-Rob]

Mega spec already, had looked at this when I was buying my own.

GT4 wing on high mounts is the one to go for though, from speaking to those that have had GTS then the GT4 is far more effective.


Any other plans?

It was a good spec and fortunately enough mostly to my taste too.

Future plans are;
Akra slip on (maybe full evo)
GT4 wing, higher mounts as you've said. Drexler/gripper and diff cooler over winter.
Possibly a carbon airbox/charger.. but it'll be a track car mostly so want it to be reliable first and foremost.
Potentially A/B/C cage although I'm yet to cage a single car I've had..

Just refreshing all the bearings and bushes over winter. Hope to get a TF weekend in over next weekend, trackday in October and hopefully some U.K. trackdays once the akra is on and quietened it down enough to get on.

Very nice indeed this mate

Thanks George 👍🏻

Spunked a fair few dollars on this but i have to say it looks truly epic. I personally don’t think there is a fag paper to split the E46 and E90 in terms of desirability and love the modifications you have done to both cars.

If only everyone knew how expensive it all was.. unfortunately I'm the only one with a spreadsheet and it would have been cheaper to buy one already highly modified. At least this way I can get it exactly how I intend from the start, no cutting corners.

I think the e90 is better looking than the e92, in fact I had someone building me an e91 M3 estate but that went downhill when on startup the engine seized.

 

[-Rob]

Interior parts are finished, can't wait to get these in!

Alcantara with silver stitching to match my LED steering wheel.

 

[cat171]

They look great!

 

[JamesBryan]

Smart them!

 

[Crybert]

Those interior parts are awesome. How much does something like that cost?

 

[-Rob]

Those interior parts are awesome. How much does something like that cost?

Too much, but for a project like this it's the little touches that make it better than just an average build in my eyes.

I've wanted work done by LG Trimming for a while so I'm happy with these.

I supplied the alcantara which valued around £70 for these items and it cost roughly £300 to trim them minus postage.

Not cheap by any stretch but he's one of the best in the business.

 

[Crybert]

Too much, but for a project like this it's the little touches that make it better than just an average build in my eyes.

I've wanted work done by LG Trimming for a while so I'm happy with these.

I supplied the alcantara which valued around £70 for these items and it cost roughly £300 to trim them minus postage.

Not cheap by any stretch but he's one of the best in the business.

Was gonna say, it’s a bloody good job. Looks like you bought them from bmw

 

[Cookie]

Needs supercharger now tbh. Just ignore what it costs. That's what credit cards are for

 

[-Rob]

Needs supercharger now tbh. Just ignore what it costs. That's what credit cards are for

Already have two ESS dealers lined up, problem with charging is keeping the temperatures down and I don't think I'd particularly gain much with a charger other than short bursts of speed.

My friend estimates 12 seconds off a ring lap going from 380/525 in his E46.

Which does interest me, but so does an airbox and if my cars happily running 440ish then 625 isn't a great deal more if most of my time is spent cooling it down after a few laps.

 

[Cookie]

Already have two ESS dealers lined up, problem with charging is keeping the temperatures down and I don't think I'd particularly gain much with a charger other than short bursts of speed.

My friend estimates 12 seconds off a ring lap going from 380/525 in his E46.

Which does interest me, but so does an airbox and if my cars happily running 440ish then 625 isn't a great deal more if most of my time is spent cooling it down after a few laps.

Does the ESS kit not include additional cooling?! What about meth?

 

[frayz]

Chase handling and control in the car.
That will inspire confidence at the limit and that will make it faster than any charger could do.
Id spend the money for a charger on as much tuition and seat time as possible.

Ive been there with big power and its a lot more expensive yet no more enjoyable, you're doing it right Rob

 

[Crybert]

I agree about handling vs power. It’s all about matching the chassis to the power

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Chase handling and control in the car.
That will inspire confidence at the limit and that will make it faster than any charger could do.
Id spend the money for a charger on as much tuition and seat time as possible.

Ive been there with big power and its a lot more expensive yet no more enjoyable, you're doing it right Rob

This all day long.

 

[Usr117063]

But whats the upgrade of this handling package right now? Nitron shocks, ap calipers, good rubber.. Either way its going to cost money

 

[-Jamie-]

I'd definitely stay NA on it, don't see many charged ones lapping all day really .


I'd be looking at a 4.4 stroker over a charger kit. 500 N/A is the dream


Any chance of a link to the genuine alcantara as well, want to trim some of my own bits but want decent material to use, why did you not go for the arm rest delete? Seats mounted quite high or?

 

[-Rob]

I'd definitely stay NA on it, don't see many charged ones lapping all day really .


I'd be looking at a 4.4 stroker over a charger kit. 500 N/A is the dream


Any chance of a link to the genuine alcantara as well, want to trim some of my own bits but want decent material to use, why did you not go for the arm rest delete? Seats mounted quite high or?

That's my point, even the charged schirmer ones need cooling down...

4.4 stroker if I ever destroy the crank! 500 n/a would be lovely but it's such a nice car to drive all the way up to the redline and as others have said, the balance and chassis is right where it is, hopefully I get a good shakedown on Wednesday in preparation for next weekend.

Arm rest delete was too expensive for what it was, suppliers couldn't get back to me with photos of what I wanted before purchasing so kept this. My spa's are sat quite low, but the arm rest doesn't get in the way for me. Plus this way it'll be nicer for long journeys to the ring or Scotland etc. It also helps that it's come in a lot cheaper to do this than buy the arm rest delete.

 

[-Rob]

Chase handling and control in the car.
That will inspire confidence at the limit and that will make it faster than any charger could do.
Id spend the money for a charger on as much tuition and seat time as possible.

Ive been there with big power and its a lot more expensive yet no more enjoyable, you're doing it right Rob

Couldn't have said it better.

I've got a bit of tuition booked, the idea is to get consistent seat time and hone some skills! My 46 just couldn't manage that reliably.

 

[-Jamie-]

That's my point, even the charged schirmer ones need cooling down...

4.4 stroker if I ever destroy the crank! 500 n/a would be lovely but it's such a nice car to drive all the way up to the redline and as others have said, the balance and chassis is right where it is, hopefully I get a good shakedown on Wednesday in preparation for next weekend.

Arm rest delete was too expensive for what it was, suppliers couldn't get back to me with photos of what I wanted before purchasing so kept this. My spa's are sat quite low, but the arm rest doesn't get in the way for me. Plus this way it'll be nicer for long journeys to the ring or Scotland etc. It also helps that it's come in a lot cheaper to do this than buy the arm rest delete.

Yeah certain people seem to price bits at daft money purely because it's going on an M [emoji1787]

Watching this thread really makes me want to just go thr same route I went with the Megane with mine haha, meant to be a nice road car that can still do TDs with no issues and still have some decent pace mind you

 

[-Rob]

Yeah certain people seem to price bits at daft money purely because it's going on an M [emoji1787]

Watching this thread really makes me want to just go thr same route I went with the Megane with mine haha, meant to be a nice road car that can still do TDs with no issues and still have some decent pace mind you

I won't mention the amount of people that have had specially tuned Nitrons and paid for them and they've done nothing to them internally! Priceless being mugged off especially from someone so big in the "scene".

I think I had doubts doing this as the E92 in the state I purchased it - was without a doubt the best car I've driven on the road.

I've made it more of an event to drive, but I'll report back on Monday about comfort on long trips!

She's ready to be picked up! Just on the train after 3 hours sleep last night. Let the rushing commence!

 

[-Jamie-]

Yeah, I was looking at brake ducts to suit the GT4 splitter when I get one, certain guy charges like 300+ for the same thing that you can get from Litchfield for half the price [emoji23]


Car looks Mega, need to get my finger out and get some tweaks done on mine.

 

[-Rob]

Picked up the car yesterday, from the 30 minute drive home I'm very happy with the setup. Should be a completely different car when it's loaded up on track.

Finished picture of the front axle

Front thrust arm bearing is a motorsport item to stop deflection in the steering.

Solid subframe mounts and SPL toe adjusting rear arms.

Picture of it sitting back on its road wheels ready for the trip to Germany tomorrow.

 

[Daz...]

That’s sexy.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Proper.

 

[cat171]

Looks fantastic!! Yess!!!

 

[Coby.]

Absolutely love it.

 

[-Jamie-]

Excellent, some proper bits there!


How's the steering feel with the front monoballs? It's high on my list to do first

 

[-Rob]

Excellent, some proper bits there!


How's the steering feel with the front monoballs? It's high on my list to do first

Much better, dartier steering inputs. Also more vibrations/feels in the wheel but not sure if it placebo..

 

[-Rob]

Somewhere round some back streets in Belgium after my nitrons got a work out on cobbled streets and pot holes the size of craters.

This was on my first lap, taking it easy. Second lap was a predicted 7:40 but had two yellows. Plenty more laps this weekend!

 

[-Jamie-]

Much better, dartier steering inputs. Also more vibrations/feels in the wheel but not sure if it placebo..

How is it under braking?


Times are quick! Safe trip and enjoy

 

[-Rob]

How is it under braking?


Times are quick! Safe trip and enjoy

I've had some issues with my brakes over the weekend. All pretty much sorted now though with an hours visit to RingSpares.

I'm focusing more on just getting my lines spot on and being smooth. Need to push a little harder with the Direzzas!

 

[-Jamie-]

I've had some issues with my brakes over the weekend. All pretty much sorted now though with an hours visit to RingSpares.

I'm focusing more on just getting my lines spot on and being smooth. Need to push a little harder with the Direzzas!

Dean look after you?


Lines and smoothness will get the times down! Always amazes me how you have to adjust for parts of the track after getting the previous section faster and faster.

Direzzas are mega, bet the car feels so good on the setup its running!

 

[-Rob]

A couple of pictures from the weekend; my top tip. Don't travel 1100 miles to shake down a new built track car and expect no issues.

After 3 laps my brakes were binding badly. So I popped into Ringspares. Dean was massively helpful (and the other guy that was helping out!)

Check out the brake deposits on the discs, Raybestos pads I'll never be using again.

Luckily Dean found a few issues and I was back out on the road after he changed the orientation on my brake calliper brackets. Car felt a little better after they ruled out wheel bearings being a problem and the pads weren't constantly attached to the discs.

Managed another 6/7 laps all at varying speeds. Only did 2 fast fast laps all weekend. My second lap in the car which was a 7:48, shows a lot more promise for future trackdays and ring trips.

Brakes still didn't feel right so I took them apart Sunday night outside the hotel..

Lovely.. so I messed around with the calliper brackets again - triple checked all clearances and cleaned up the discs the best I could and fitted my spare set of ProjectMu H21 pads I brought with me.

Early retirement for some steak and to bed in in the new pads before the return trip Monday morning.

Absolutely love this photo of it.

And a picture on the ring, not as much seat time as I'd have liked but I got the time I wanted this time round. The suspension was sublime all weekend and dialled into perfection for my driving style after some initial feedback.

Hopefully back October.

I've got a long list of things to do before then...

 

[Ash J]

Very nice this mate, looks epic.

I work at a small Motorsport garage in the South, we're BMW specialists and get a lot of E9x M3's in. We've just taken delivery of a brand new V8 block from BMW to be fitted to a customer's E92 (supplied under warranty luckily for the customer; his engine shat itself!) - achingly good to look at!

This is proper though. All top spec parts, no doubt one hell of a car to drive. Love the Nitron's and good choice on the shifter.

Keep up the good work.

 

[-Rob]

Very nice this mate, looks epic.

I work at a small Motorsport garage in the South, we're BMW specialists and get a lot of E9x M3's in. We've just taken delivery of a brand new V8 block from BMW to be fitted to a customer's E92 (supplied under warranty luckily for the customer; his engine shat itself!) - achingly good to look at!

This is proper though. All top spec parts, no doubt one hell of a car to drive. Love the Nitron's and good choice on the shifter.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks Ash,

Fingers crossed I'm never in that predicament having had the bearings done 8,000 miles ago. I've seen my fair share of S65's out in workshops before - not the best place for them to be thats for sure.

It drives a lot better than it looks and I'm over the moon with the Nitrons and finally having some Recaros in a manual M3. Driver involvement is top, can't wait to give it 100% on a trackday at the ring!